About the JAIBS

Organization and Bylaws

About Our Organization

Founded to promote research in Indian Studies and Buddhist Studies, The Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies (JAIBS, or Nihon Indogaku Bukkyō Gakkai 日本印度学仏教学会) is made up of researchers, their associates, academic and research institutions, and related non-governmental organizations of all kinds. The JAIBS is composed of two divisions: an administrative division for the upkeep and management of the Association, and the members division.

To begin by way of explaining the structure of our association, there are five types of members in the member division. Regular Members, Honorary Members, Supporting Members, Special Supporting Members, and Adjunct Members. To become a Regular Member (Futsū Kaiin 普通会員), one must secure a recommendation from a member of either the Board of Directors or the Board of Councillors , and must then be approved by the Board of Directors. By paying the annual membership fee (6,500 Japanese yen, as of 2014), Regular Members have the right to present at our annual conference, and will be sent the Association’s journal. Emeritus Members (Meiyo Kaiin 名誉会員) are individuals who have made great contributions to the field over many years, or other organization members recommended by the Board of Directors who have generally made a noteworthy effort to support the development of academics. Supporting Members (Iji Kaiin 維持会員) are academic research organizations and non-governmental organizations that have given financial support to the Association, and make up the JAIBS’s Affiliated Schools and Organizations. Special Supporting Members (Tokubetsu Iji Kaiin 特別維持会員) are groups and organizations who pay a special yearly fee to support the continued operation of the Association. Adjunct Members (Jun Kaiin 準会員) are individuals and organizations who purchase our association Journal on a regular basis. Membership at any level is not limited to people or organizations currently residing in or active in Japan, and, at present, our organization includes both Regular Members and Supporting Members from Europe and the Americas, as well Korea and Taiwan. The financial operations of the association are supported not only by membership fees from the different types of members, but from yearly donations made by Buddhism-related groups and organizations, as well from the support of individual benefactors from the general public.

Secondly, the administrative division is made up of the Board of Directors (Rijikai 理事会) and the Board of Councillors (Hyōgiinkai 評議員会), and these two boards form the Association’s decision-making body. The Board of Directors and the Board of Councillors are made up of individuals selected from the Association’s Affiliated Schools and Organizations (Kameikō 加盟校 and Kamei Dantai 加盟団体), and is in charge of the upkeep and operation of the Association. In addition, two individuals are assigned as auditors to monitor the organization’s accounting and financial status and otherwise ensure the proper operation of the Association, while several other full-time employees are in charge of business related to the Association’s main office and day-to-day operations.

Past Chairpersons

Miyamoto Shōson宮本正尊

(1951–1983)

Chairperson Emeritus From June to November 1983

Hirakawa Akira平川彰

(1983–1991)

Maeda Sengaku前田專學

(1991–1996)

Ejima Yasunori江島惠教

(1996–1999)

Passed away suddenly in May 1999. From June to September of the same year, Former Chairperson Maeda Sengaku was appointed Acting Chairperson.

Maeda Sengaku前田專學

(1999–2003)

Kimura Kiyotaka木村清孝

(2003–2008)

Saitō Akira斎藤明

(2008–2014)

MARUIHiroshi丸井浩

(2014–2017)

KIMURAKiyotaka木村清孝

(2017)

SHIMODAMasahiro下田正弘

(2017–)

Present Chairperson

Articles of Organization of The Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies

ARTICLE I

The name of the organization shall be the Nihon Indogaku Bukkyō Gakkai, Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies (JAIBS).

ARTICLE II

The objectives of the organization shall be the maintenance of academic communication with organizations and individuals concerned with Indian and Buddhist Studies, both within Japan and abroad, toward the furtherance and promotion of these and related fields of study.

ARTICLE III

The activities of the organization, in pursuit of the said objectives, shall be as follows:

1.

Academic research and investigation, and the collection, provision and exchange of academic information.

2.

The sponsorship of an annual academic conference, public lectures and other research-related gatherings.

3.

The publication of the Association’s journal, Indogaku Bukkyōgaku Kenkyū (“Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies” = JIBS).

4.

The encouragement and assistance to, and recognition of, research undertaken by Association members.

5.

The maintenance of communication with the Science Council of Japan, Nippon Buddhist Research Association, Japanese Association for Religious studies, and other academic associations.

6.

Other activities designed to promote the objectives of the organization.

ARTICLE IV

The membership of the organization shall consist of those endorsing the objectives of the Association, and shall be of five types:

1.

Ordinary members.

2.

Honorary members.

3.

Supporting members.

4.

Special supporting members.

5.

Adjunct members.

ARTICLE V

1.

Ordinary members shall be those individuals with at least a four year college education, or equivalent academic ability, who are actively engaged in academic pursuits. Such individuals shall be nominated by an officer of this organization, as defined in Article VII, and approved by the Board of Directors.

2.

Honorary members shall be selected by the Board of Directors from among Japanese and non-Japanese scholars who have made a remarkable contribution to Indian or Buddhist studies, and from among members of the organization who have significantly contributed to the activities or operations of the organization.

3.

Supporting members shall be academic organizations involved in regularly supporting the activities or operations of this organization. They shall be selected by the Board of Directors, based on the said organization’s self-nomination or on a nomination by the Board of Directors of this organization.

4.

Special supporting members shall be organizations or individuals who support the aims of this organization, offering it financial support in good faith. They shall be selected by the Board of Directors.

5.

Adjunct members shall be organizations or individuals who wish to subscribe to the organization’s official journal. They shall be selected by the Board of Directors, based by their own application.

Regulations governing the membership dues and rules of resignation from the organization shall be stipulated elsewhere.

ARTICLE VI

All members may participate in the activities specified in Article III, and are eligible to receive the organization’s publications. Ordinary and honorary members are also eligible to make presentation of their research at the organization’s Annual Conference and research conferences, and to publish their research in the organization’s official journal. Specific regulations concerning research presentations and publications shall be stipulated elsewhere.

ARTICLE VII

The organization shall have the following officers:

1. Chairperson of the Board of Directors

One individual

2. Board of Directors

Several individuals

3. Board of Councillors

Several individuals

4. Auditors

Two individuals

5. Executive Committee Members

Several individuals

ARTICLE VIII

The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall represent the organization and shall preside over its affairs. The Chairperson shall be selected from among the members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX

The members of Board of Directors shall constitute the Board of Directors, and shall conduct the business of the organization. The members of the Board of Directors shall be selected from among the members of the board of Councillors.

ARTICLE X

The members of the Board of Councillors shall assist the members of the Board of Directors, and shall deliberate through meetings of the Board of Councillors concerning significant matters such as changes in the regulations of the organization. Members of the Board of the Councillors shall be selected from among the membership of the organization.

ARTICLE XI

Auditors shall audit the accounts of the organization, and may attend and participate in the meeting of the Board of Directors. The Auditors shall be selected from among the members of the Board of Councillors.

ARTICLE XII

The Executive Committee Members shall assist the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and carry out the business affairs of the organization. In accordance with the rules concerning the Executive Committee, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors appoints the Executive Committee Members from among the members of the organization.

ARTICLE XIII

The officers of the organization shall serve terms of three years. Consecutive terms are permissible. However, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors is limited to two consecutive terms in that position.

ARTICLE XIV

The expenses of the organization shall be provided through membership fees and other income. Surplus funds and donations may be added to the general fund of the organization.

ARTICLE XV

The fiscal year of the organization shall run from April 1 of one year to March 31 of the following year.